WO2016176352A1 - Hélice à vortex - Google Patents

Hélice à vortex Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2016176352A1
WO2016176352A1 PCT/US2016/029603 US2016029603W WO2016176352A1 WO 2016176352 A1 WO2016176352 A1 WO 2016176352A1 US 2016029603 W US2016029603 W US 2016029603W WO 2016176352 A1 WO2016176352 A1 WO 2016176352A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
central shaft
propeller
blades
blade
edge
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2016/029603
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Chris Bills
Donald E. Moriarty
Original Assignee
Chris Bills
Moriarty Donald E
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chris Bills, Moriarty Donald E filed Critical Chris Bills
Priority to CN201680037833.2A priority Critical patent/CN107850043A/zh
Publication of WO2016176352A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016176352A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D3/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor 
    • F03D3/06—Rotors
    • F03D3/061—Rotors characterised by their aerodynamic shape, e.g. aerofoil profiles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H1/00—Propulsive elements directly acting on water
    • B63H1/02—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type
    • B63H1/12—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type with rotation axis substantially in propulsive direction
    • B63H1/14—Propellers
    • B63H1/26—Blades
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D3/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor 
    • F03D3/005—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor  the axis being vertical
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D7/00—Controlling wind motors 
    • F03D7/06—Controlling wind motors  the wind motors having rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H1/00—Propulsive elements directly acting on water
    • B63H1/02—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type
    • B63H1/12—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type with rotation axis substantially in propulsive direction
    • B63H2001/122—Single or multiple threaded helicoidal screws, or the like, comprising foils extending over a substantial angle; Archimedean screws
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/74—Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to propeller devices, and more particularly to propellers for turning a turbine or being turned by a powered device such as an engine to create propulsion.
  • Propeller blades are designed to generate the maximum power at the minimum cost.
  • the design of those blades is driven primarily by aerodynamic requirements.
  • economics requires that the blade shape constitute a compromise to optimize the cost of construction versus the value of power production.
  • the blade design process starts with a "best guess" compromise between aerodynamic and structural efficiency.
  • the choice of materials and manufacturing process will also have an influence on how thin (hence aerodynamically ideal) the blade can be built (e.g., carbon fiber is suffer and stronger than infused glass fiber).
  • the chosen aerodynamic shape gives rise to loads, which are fed into the structural design. Problems identified at this stage can then be used to modify the shape, if necessary, and recalculate the aerodynamic performance.
  • the available power varies as the cube of the wind speed— accordingly, twice the wind speed equals eight times the power.
  • wind speeds below about 5m/s (l Omph) do not create sufficient power to be useful.
  • strong gusts provide extremely high levels of power.
  • the wind is subject to instantaneous variability due to turbulence caused by land features, thermal influences, and weather.
  • wind velocity tends to be greater above the ground due to surface friction. All these effects lead to varying loads on the blades of a turbine as they rotate.
  • the turbine itself has an effect on the wind. Downwind of the turbine, air moves more slowly than upwind. The wind starts to slow down even before it reaches the blades, reducing the wind speed through the "disc” (the imaginary circle formed by the blade tips, also called the swept area) and hence reducing the available power. Some of the wind traveling in the direction of the disc diverts around the slower-moving air and misses the blades entirely. Thus, there is an optimum amount of power to extract from a given disc diameter (i.e., if one attempts to take too much and the wind will slow down too much, reducing the available power).
  • Betz's limit a theoretical maximum of 59% of the wind's power to be captured. It is believed that in practice only 40-50% of the wind's available power is captured by current designs.
  • a vertically oriented propeller in accordance with one aspect of the technology, comprising a central shaft oriented in a position that is normal to the surface of the ground and normal to a direction of fluid flow F.
  • a plurality of blades emanate from the central shaft, wherein each one of the plurality of blades comprises an outside edge and an inside edge, wherein the inside edge is coupled to the central shaft.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a three blade vortex propeller in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a side view of the propeller of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 shows a top view of the propeller of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the propeller of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a three blade vortex propeller in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 6 shows a side view of the propeller of FIG. 5
  • FIG. 7 shows a top view of the propeller of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the propeller of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a three blade propeller in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a three blade propeller in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a three blade propeller in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a top view of the propeller of FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the propeller of FIG. 11.
  • the term "about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be "a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint.
  • the degree of flexibility of this term can be dictated by the particular variable and would be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to determine based on experience and the associated description herein.
  • the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.
  • the exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained.
  • the use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.
  • the vortex-shaped propeller comprises solid portions enabling at least some irrotational flow about portions of the propeller and open portions enabling fluid flow (e.g., wind) through the propeller to induce propeller rotation.
  • the vortex shaped propeller comprises one or more blades having an inside edge that is coupled to a central axis. Additional aspects of the invention are described more fully herein.
  • the total blade area as a fraction of the total swept disc area is called the solidity. Aerodynamically, there is an optimum solidity for a given tip speed; the higher the number of blades, the narrower each blade must be. In traditional wind turbines, the optimum solidity is low (only a few percent) which means that even with only three blades, each one must be very narrow. To slip through the air easily the blades must be thin relative to their width, so the limited solidity also limits the thickness of the blades. However, the thinner blades become, the more expensive they are to construct in order to meet the structural demands placed on the blades.
  • wind turbine blades work by generating lift due to their shape.
  • the more curved side generates low air pressures while high pressure air pushes on the other side of the airfoil.
  • the net result is a lift force perpendicular to the direction of flow of the air.
  • the lift force increases as the blade is turned to present itself at a greater angle to the wind. This is called the angle of attack.
  • the blade stalls" and the lift decreases again.
  • the drag is also a retarding force on the blade: the drag. This is the force parallel to the wind flow which also increases with the angle of attack.
  • the lift force is much bigger than the drag.
  • the drag increases dramatically.
  • the blade reaches its maximum lift/drag ratio at an angle slightly less than the maximum lift angle.
  • drag is in the downwind direction, it would seem drag would not slow down a turbine rotor as the drag would be parallel to the turbine axis. That is, it would only create "thrust", the force that acts parallel to the turbine axis and hence has no tendency to speed up or slow down the rotor.
  • the rotor is stationary (e.g., just before start-up), this is indeed the case.
  • the blade's own movement through the air means that, the wind is blowing from a different angle.
  • the apparent wind is stronger than the true wind but its angle is less favorable: it rotates the angles of the lift and drag to reduce the effect of lift force pulling the blade around and increase the effect of drag slowing it down. It also means that the lift force contributes to the thrust on the rotor. As a result, to maintain an optimal angle of attack, the blade must be turned further from the true wind angle.
  • Rotating turbine blades travel faster at the blade tip than at the root, hence there is a greater apparent wind angle. Because of the increased velocity at varying points about the length of the blade, the optimal angle of attack of the blade also varies about the length of the blade. Accordingly, the blade must be turned further at the tips than at the root. In other words, the blade is ideally built with a twist along its length. In traditional windmill designs, the twist is around 10-20° from root to tip.
  • planform shape is traditionally used to give the blade an approximately constant slowing effect on the wind over the whole rotor disc (i.e., the tip slows the wind to the same degree as the center or root of the blade). This ensures that none of the air leaves the turbine too slowly (causing turbulence), yet none is allowed to pass through too fast (which would represent wasted energy).
  • the tip of the blade is moving faster than the root, it passes through more volume of air, hence it must generate a greater lift force to slow that air down. Fortunately, lift increases with the square of speed so its greater speed generates sufficient lift.
  • the blade can be narrower close to the tip than near the root and still generate enough lift.
  • the optimum tapering of the blade planform as it goes outboard can be calculated. Roughly speaking, the chord should be inverse to the radius (e.g., if the chord was 2m at 10m radius, it should be 10m at lm radius). This relationship breaks down close to the root and tip, where the optimum shape changes to account for tip losses. In practice, a fairly linear taper is sufficiently close to the optimum for most designs. It is also thought to be structurally superior and easier to build than the optimum shape.
  • the speed at which the turbine rotates is a fundamental choice in the design, and is defined in terms of the speed of the blade tips relative to the "free" wind speed (i.e., before the wind is slowed down by the turbine). This is called the tip speed ratio.
  • High tip speed ratio means the aerodynamic force on the blades (due to lift and drag) is almost parallel to the rotor axis. As such, it relies on a good lift/drag ratio.
  • Low tip speed ratio would seem like a better choice but unfortunately results in lower aerodynamic efficiency, due to two effects. Because the lift force on the blades generates torque, it has an equal but opposite effect on the wind, tending to push it around tangentially in an opposite direction.
  • the higher lift force on a wider blade also translates to higher loads on the other components such as the hub and bearings. As such, low tip speed ratio will increase the cost of these items.
  • the wide blade is better able to carry the lift force (as discussed previously), so the blade itself may be cheaper.
  • the maximum performance of the generator and gearbox of a wind turbine are limited to an appropriate level for the operating environment of a particular turbine.
  • the turbine should be able to extract as much power as possible from the wind up to the rated power of the generator, then limit the power extraction at that level as the wind increases further.
  • the blades are attached via a bearing that allows the angle of attack to be varied (active pitch control), the blades can be angled to maintain optimum efficiency right up to the design wind speed (at which the generator is producing its rated output). Above the design wind speed, blades can be "feathered” (i.e., rotated in pitch to decrease their angle of attack and hence their lift, and thus controlling the power). In survival conditions, the turbine can be stopped altogether and the blades feathered to produce no turning force at all.
  • An alternative to decreasing the angle of attack above the design wind speed comprises an increase to the angle to the point where the blade stalls (active stall control). This decreases lift and increases drag, which has the desired slowing effect on blade rotation and also less sensitive to gusts of wind than feathering. That is, by decreasing the apparent wind angle, gusts increase the angle of attack which tend to make the blade stall more.
  • controlling blade speed by stall rather than feathering can be beneficial in gusty conditions.
  • a propeller which approximates the shape of a vortex.
  • the propeller comprises a plurality of blades terminating in the shape of a perimeter of a circle.
  • Each of the blades extends outwardly and away from the circle in a helical (or spiral) orientation.
  • the radius of the spiral increases such that the proximate blades approximate the shape of a funnel.
  • each of the terminating portions of the blades are equidistant from one another about the perimeter of an imaginary circle and equidistant from a central axis.
  • the center of the imaginary circle is collinear with the central axis about which each of the blades is disposed.
  • the propeller comprises a plurality of blades terminating in the shape of a perimeter of a circle.
  • Each of the blades twists about a center in a helical (or spiral) orientation. At some distance away from the center, the radius of the twist closes the blades in on themselves without touching an adjacent blade.
  • each of the terminating portions of the blades are equidistant from one another about the perimeter of an imaginary circle and equidistant from a central axis.
  • the center of the imaginary circle is collinear with the central axis about which each of the blades is disposed. An inner edge of each of the blades is always in contact with the central axis.
  • the vortex-shaped propeller is configured to capture the flow of wind and induce irrotational flow about the inside of the vortex-shaped propeller.
  • the pitch and twist of the blades of the propeller are configured to optimize the angle of attack and the number of blades associated with the propeller are configured to optimize the lift of each blade as well as the total swept disc area.
  • the angle of attack and lift associated with the propeller configuration varies significantly from traditional propeller designs, in part, due to the difference in the air flow regime created by the vortex-shaped propeller itself.
  • the vortex-shaped propeller may be attached to a device (e.g., a motor) capable of causing the propeller to rotate despite the absence of any wind or fluid flow.
  • a device e.g., a motor
  • the vortex-shaped propeller may be utilized to induce fluid flow to propel a vehicle or for some other suitable purpose.
  • the propeller device can comprise a plurality of blades disposed together to approximate the shape of a vortex.
  • the beginning points of each of the plurality of blades are disposed equidistant about the perimeter of an imaginary circle, wherein the center of the imaginary circle is collinear with the central axis.
  • the beginning points may be laterally spaced very close to the center of the imaginary circle (almost zero) leaving essentially no hole at the end of the vortex, or they may be laterally spaced apart from the center to create a large hole at the end of the vortex.
  • the plurality of blades are fixed to the central axis with lateral supports extending outward from the central axis.
  • one edge of the blades is substantially in contact with the central axis.
  • FIGS. 1 through 4 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a vortex shaped propeller 10 is disclosed. It is believed that the flow of wind resulting from the innovative propeller design shall focus energy flow more toward the center or rotor, rather than the blade tips.
  • the blade configuration creates a natural transition of flow from resistant to directional as it pulls to the center. As the air flows toward the center of the blade, it is believed it will speed up (due to Bernoulli's principle) thereby increasing the speed of air applied to the inner portion of the propeller 10.
  • FIGS. 1 through 4 show a three-blade configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Each of the blades 5a, 5b, and 5c, of the propeller 10 comprise a helical or spiral configuration about a solid central axis 15.
  • the helical orientation of the blades can be configured as logarithmic spirals or Archimedean spirals.
  • a logarithmic spiral can be distinguished from the Archimedean spiral by the fact that the distances between the turnings of a logarithmic spiral increase in geometric progression, while in an Archimedean spiral these distances are constant.
  • Logarithmic spirals are self-similar in that they are self-congruent under all similarity transformations (scaling them gives the same result as rotating them). Scaling by a factor e ⁇ gives the same as the original, without rotation.
  • the blades are configured to form a "golden spiral.”
  • a golden spiral is a logarithmic spiral that grows outward by a factor of approximately 1.618 for every 90 degrees of rotation (pitch about 17.03239 degrees).
  • the use of logarithmic spirals and Archimedean spirals may be used to optimize different wind profiles and blade orientation designs as suits a particular purpose.
  • the blades of the propeller 10 have a convex or concave geometry with respect to a central axis 15. It is believed that in some applications, a convex or concave geometry will assist in optimizing rotation.
  • the blades 5a, 5b, and 5c extend longitudinally along a central axis 15 and spiral about the central axis 15 from a proximal end 20 of the propeller 10 to a distal end 25 of the propeller 10.
  • the blades 5a, 5b, 5c begin at points within the same plane approximating the shape of a circle.
  • the center of the circle is collinear with a central axis 15 of the propeller 10. It is believed that the air passing through the propeller 10 will create lift forces which act upon the blades 5a, 5b, 5c more efficiently than traditional propeller designs.
  • the blades 5a, 5b, 5c are interconnected at different locations along the central axis 15 with a rigid member 30.
  • a plurality of bottom rigid members 31 are connected to the central axis 15 and each of the three blades 5a, 5b, 5c.
  • the rigid members 30 extend laterally outward from central axis 15 and are integrated into the top face 6 of the blade about the middle of the width of the blade at location 7.
  • the blades 5a, 5b, 5c are positioned in such a manner that the faces of the blades 5a, 5b, 5c are substantially parallel with the central axis 15.
  • the orientation of the blades 5a, 5b, 5c changes from a vertical orientation (i.e., substantially parallel to the central axis 15) to a substantially horizontal orientation (i.e., substantially perpendicular to the central axis 15).
  • a significant part of the transition from a vertical to horizontal orientation occurs towards the bottom portion of the propeller 10.
  • the transition is more gradual near the bottom portion of the propeller 10 and a more significant transition occurs towards the top of the propeller 10.
  • Each of the blades 50a, 50b, and 50c, of the propeller 100 comprise a helical or spiral configuration about a solid central axis 150.
  • the helical orientation of the blades 50a, 50b, 50c can be configured as logarithmic spirals or Archimedean spirals.
  • a logarithmic spiral can be distinguished from the Archimedean spiral by the fact that the distances between the turnings of a logarithmic spiral increase in geometric progression, while in an Archimedean spiral these distances are constant.
  • the orientation of the blades 50a, 50b, 50c transitions from a near vertical orientation at the bottom area 60 of the propeller 100 to a near horizontal orientation at the top area 65 of the propeller 100.
  • the rate of the transition is logarithmic.
  • Internal edges 54 of blades 50a, 50b, 50c are in contact with the central shaft or axis 150 such that there is no space between the internal edge 54 of the blades 50a, 50b, 50c and the central shaft or axis 150.
  • the bottom side 51 of each blade 50a, 50b, 50c measured from an internal or inside edge 54 to an external or outside edge 55 is substantially planar.
  • a vertically oriented propeller 100 comprises a central shaft 150 oriented in a position that is normal to the surface of the ground and normal to a direction of fluid F (e.g., wind or water) flow.
  • F fluid
  • a plurality of blades 50a, 50b, 50c emanate from the central shaft 150, wherein each one of the plurality of blades 50a, 50b, 50c comprises an outside edge 55 and an inside edge 54, wherein the inside edge 54 is coupled to the central shaft 150.
  • the length of the outside edge 55 from the top of the blade to the bottom of the blade is longer than the length of the inside edge 54 measured from the top of the blade to the bottom of the blade. This is due to the difference in the turn rates of the inside edge 54 and the outside edge 55 of the blades 50a, 50b, 50c about the central shaft 150.
  • the outside edge 55 of each one of the plurality of blades 50a, 50b, 50c has a beginning position that is co-planar with a bottom portion 150a of the central shaft 150 and extends a distance away from the central shaft 150.
  • the outside edge 55 of the blade extends upward curving around at a continuously varying rate of increasing distance away from the central shaft 150.
  • the outside edge 55 of the blade extends upward curving around the central shaft 150 at a constant rate of increasing distance from the central shaft 150.
  • the rate at which the outside edge 55 of the blade moves away from the central shaft 150 varies at a geometric rate.
  • the rate at which the outside edge 55 of the blade moves away from the central shaft 150 varies at a logarithmic rate.
  • the outside edge 55 of the blade forms an Archimedes spiral about the central shaft 150.
  • the inside edge 54 of the blades spirals around the central shaft 150.
  • the turn rate of the inside edge 54 of the blades about the central shaft 150 is less than the turn rate of the outside edge 55 of the blades about the central shaft 150.
  • each one of the blades 50a, 50b, 50c comprises a first thickness near the inside edge 54 of the blade and a second thickness near the outside edge 55 of the blade wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness.
  • a central shaft 150 is oriented in a position that is normal to the surface of the ground and normal to a direction of fluid flow F.
  • a plurality of blades 50a, 50b, 50c emanating from the central shaft 150 comprises an outside edge 55 and an inside edge 54, wherein the inside edge 54 is attached directly to an outside surface of the central shaft 150.
  • a top surface 62 of the blade is substantially parallel to the central shaft 150 at a beginning point 61 of the surface 62 of the blade is substantially perpendicular to the central shaft 150 at an ending point 63 of the blade.
  • an ending edge 63 of the blades 50a, 50b, 50c is substantially perpendicular to the central axis 150 and a beginning edge 61 of the blades 50a, 50b, 50c is substantially parallel to the central axis 150.
  • the ending edge 63 of the blades 50 is disposed lower than an adjacent portion of the blade forming a cupped shape on the distal end of the blade.
  • the ending edge 63 is not disposed below an adjacent portion of the blade, the distal end of the blade being substantially flat (i.e., parallel with the ground surface).
  • one or more channels is disposed within each one of the blades 50a, 50b, 50c extending from a beginning point 61 of the blade to an ending point 63 of the blade.
  • the channel has a depth that ranges from 1 ⁇ 4 to 3 ⁇ 4 the total thickness of the blade. Accordingly, in an aspect where the thickness of the blade varies from an inside portion of the blade to an outside portion of the blade, the depth of the channel will also vary. In another aspect, however, the depth of the channel is consistent across the blade regardless of any variation in the thickness of the blade.
  • the channel comprises an aperture or pass-through hole in the blade itself.
  • the total volume between opposing blades varies as the blade extends upward from a beginning point 61 to the ending point 63. That is, as the blades 50a, 50b, 50c begin to spiral and convert from a substantially upright orientation to a substantially horizontal orientation, the volume between adjacent blades becomes smaller.
  • the ratio of the volume between adj acent blades varies from 2: 1 to 5 : 1.
  • the ratio of the volume between adjacent blades in the "open area” (e.g., the bottom 7/8 to 1 ⁇ 2 of the propeller 100) to the volume between adjacent blades in the "closed area” (e.g., the top 1/8 to 1 ⁇ 2 of the propeller 100) ranges from approximately 2: 1 to 5 : 1.
  • the propeller 100 is coupled to vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT) wherein the central shaft 150 is set transverse to the wind (but not necessarily vertically) while the main components (e.g., the generator) are located at the base of the turbine.
  • VAWTs vertical-axis wind turbines
  • the generator and gearbox to be located close to the ground, facilitating service and repair.
  • VAWTs do not need to be pointed into the wind which removes the need for wind-sensing and orientation mechanisms.
  • a challenge facing vertical axis wind turbine technology is dynamic stall of the blades as the angle of attack varies rapidly. It is believed that aspects of the current technology minimizes dynamic stalling of VAWTs.
  • VAWT While specific reference is made herein to a VAWT, it is understood that certain aspects of the technology described herein may be employed in connection with a horizontal wind turbine. In another aspect, aspects of the technology may be used as a propulsion device. That is, the propeller may be coupled to a drive train and turned to provide thrust to power a vehicle.
  • a propeller 200 that effectively comprises a combination of propeller 100 and its mirror image about a plane that is disposed about a bottom of propeller 100. That is, the propeller 200 comprises a plurality of blades 201a, 201b, 201c that are coupled to a central axis 215.
  • the blades 201 are formed in a "closed" arrangement near a top 202 and bottom 203 portion of the propeller meaning that the area between adjacent blades is smaller than the area between those portions.
  • the middle 204 of the propeller, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the propeller 200, is in an "open" arrangement meaning that the area between adjacent blades is greater than the top and bottom sections.
  • the open area of the blade creates "cupped" section intended to gather wind and turn the propeller 200.
  • an end point 210 of a blade 201 near a top 202 of the propeller 200 is vertically aligned with an end point 210 of the same blade 201 near a bottom 203 of the propeller. While the terms “top” and “bottom” are used herein, because one section is a mirror image of the other, the propeller could be vertically transposed without any change in its function.
  • a propeller 300 comprises a bottom section 301 what is identical to propeller 100. Unlike the propeller 100, propeller 300 comprises an upper portion 302 wherein an internal edge of the plurality of blades 305 are disconnected from the central axis 315. That is, a bottom section 301 comprises a plurality of blades 305 that have an internal edge that remains in direct contact with the central axis or shaft 315. When the blades 305 approach the upper portion (e.g., the upper 1/3 of the propeller 300), they are no longer connected directly to the shaft by their internal edge.
  • the upper portion e.g., the upper 1/3 of the propeller 300
  • the blades 305 are coupled to the central shaft 315 by one or more rigid members 308 that extend laterally outward from the central shaft 315.
  • the upper section 302 of propeller 300 comprises blades 305 that whose internal edge 306 expands outward away from the central shaft 315 in the form of a logarithmic spiral.
  • an external edge 307 of the blades expands outward away from the central shaft 315 in the form of a logarithmic spiral.
  • the gear box comprises a turbine "governor” or device that limits the top speed that the propeller will turn in order to minimize stalling.
  • the governor comprises a clutch or other spring- loaded device that frictionally engages the central axis of the propeller when the propeller reaches a rotational velocity that exceeds and predetermined threshold.
  • the spring loaded device is coupled to a turbine arrangement (e.g., a stator and rotator assembly) that generates electricity based on the turning of the propeller. In this manner, while the primary turbine is utilized to generate electricity from the turning of the propeller, a secondary turbine may engage the propeller in an effort to maximize the harvesting of available energy from the propeller while limiting its maximum rotational speed.
  • the term "preferably” is non-exclusive where it is intended to mean “preferably, but not limited to.” Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims. Means-plus- function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) "means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding function is expressly recited. The structure, material or acts that support the means-plus function are expressly recited in the description herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given above.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

Un arbre central est orienté dans une position qui est perpendiculaire à la surface du sol et perpendiculaire à une direction d'écoulement de fluide. L'arbre central comporte une pluralité d'aubes émanant de l'arbre central, chaque aube de la pluralité d'aubes ayant un bord extérieur et un bord intérieur, le bord intérieur étant fixé directement à une surface extérieure de l'arbre central. Le bord extérieur de l'aube s'étend vers le haut s'incurvant autour de l'arbre central et le bord intérieur de l'aube s'étend vers le haut s'incurvant autour de l'arbre central. La vitesse de rotation du bord intérieur des aubes autour de l'arbre central est inférieure à la vitesse de rotation du bord extérieur des aubes autour de l'arbre central.
PCT/US2016/029603 2015-04-28 2016-04-27 Hélice à vortex WO2016176352A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201680037833.2A CN107850043A (zh) 2015-04-28 2016-04-27 涡旋推进器

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201562154024P 2015-04-28 2015-04-28
US62/154,024 2015-04-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016176352A1 true WO2016176352A1 (fr) 2016-11-03

Family

ID=57199389

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2016/029603 WO2016176352A1 (fr) 2015-04-28 2016-04-27 Hélice à vortex

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US10260479B2 (fr)
CN (1) CN107850043A (fr)
HK (1) HK1252114A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2016176352A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107933869A (zh) * 2017-12-14 2018-04-20 汪弘轩 一种电磁无轴涡叶向心式船用推进器
US11053912B2 (en) 2013-05-29 2021-07-06 Magnelan Technologies Inc. Wind turbine for facilitating laminar flow
US11204016B1 (en) 2018-10-24 2021-12-21 Magnelan Energy LLC Light weight mast for supporting a wind turbine
CN114435573A (zh) * 2022-02-17 2022-05-06 交通运输部天津水运工程科学研究所 一种船用涡轮推进器

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016176352A1 (fr) 2015-04-28 2016-11-03 Chris Bills Hélice à vortex
USD818414S1 (en) 2016-11-30 2018-05-22 Chris Bills Vortex propeller
USD805474S1 (en) * 2016-11-30 2017-12-19 Chris Bills Vortex propeller
CN110325741B (zh) * 2017-02-14 2021-07-09 太阳能焦耳知识产权控股有限公司 对螺旋风扇/泵/涡轮的改进
US20200158074A1 (en) * 2017-04-19 2020-05-21 Dreambird Inc. Vertical-shaft turbine
USD869368S1 (en) * 2017-11-21 2019-12-10 Cixi Luosaifei Kayak Co., Ltd Quarter-twist pedal propeller
RS63961B1 (sr) 2019-03-13 2023-03-31 Natel Energy Inc Hidraulična turbina
CN109969367B (zh) * 2019-04-15 2024-04-05 汪一平 纺锤轴旋涡叶片式船用矢量推进装置
USD926133S1 (en) * 2020-03-13 2021-07-27 Natel Energy, Inc. Turbine runner
CN114352458B (zh) * 2022-01-26 2023-03-24 扬州大学 带聚能的费马螺旋桨叶海流能发电装置

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4500259A (en) * 1981-08-18 1985-02-19 Schumacher Berthold W Fluid flow energy converter
US20070029807A1 (en) * 2005-08-08 2007-02-08 Clayton Kass Methods and systems for generating wind energy
US20090257880A1 (en) * 2008-04-11 2009-10-15 Clay Clark Conical helicoid wind turbine
US20100003130A1 (en) * 2005-07-28 2010-01-07 Georges Gual Windmill device
US20120076656A1 (en) * 2010-09-29 2012-03-29 Abass Omar Nabil Horizontal Axis Logarithmic Spiral Fluid Turbine
US20130343897A1 (en) * 2012-06-21 2013-12-26 David A. Collins Helix Type Vertical Axis Turbine Blades and Method for Continuously Making Same
US8905706B2 (en) * 2010-06-17 2014-12-09 Chris Bills Vortex propeller
US9004851B1 (en) * 2014-03-05 2015-04-14 Gustavo Q. Garza Efficient spiral wind-turbine configuration

Family Cites Families (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4218175A (en) 1978-11-28 1980-08-19 Carpenter Robert D Wind turbine
USD326080S (en) 1989-05-02 1992-05-12 Teknovent Oy Propeller
JP2947357B2 (ja) 1989-08-18 1999-09-13 日産自動車株式会社 高速艇のプロペラ構造
USD324364S (en) 1990-03-01 1992-03-03 Hannon R Douglas Three-blade propeller
USD341608S (en) 1992-04-23 1993-11-23 Itt Flygt Ab Submersible mixer
US5997242A (en) 1996-12-02 1999-12-07 Alden Research Laboratory, Inc. Hydraulic turbine
FI972806A (fi) * 1997-06-30 1998-12-31 Shield Oy Kierteinen tuuliroottori ja menetelmä sen valmistamiseksi
USD442906S1 (en) 1999-12-17 2001-05-29 David Prokop Marine propeller with thrust edges
USD459285S1 (en) 2001-01-20 2002-06-25 Emu Unterwasserpumpen Gmbh Propeller
CN2497075Y (zh) * 2001-08-08 2002-06-26 米春明 立轴式万向风力发电机
US7362004B2 (en) 2003-07-29 2008-04-22 Becker William S Wind turbine device
EP1825140A1 (fr) 2004-10-20 2007-08-29 Vortech Energy & Power Pty Limited Éolienne à axe vertical avec pale tordue ou pale auxiliaire
USD560154S1 (en) 2006-12-15 2008-01-22 Aplin Jr Daniel R Boat propeller
US8251662B2 (en) 2007-01-22 2012-08-28 Parker Daniel B Wind turbine blade assembly and apparatus
CN201096055Y (zh) * 2007-11-13 2008-08-06 南京宇能仪表有限公司 一种组合式风动螺旋叶轮
USD578460S1 (en) 2007-11-16 2008-10-14 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises Inc. Screw propeller component
USD576539S1 (en) 2007-11-16 2008-09-09 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises Inc. Screw propeller
US7874787B2 (en) 2009-01-30 2011-01-25 Richard Morris Vertical axis wind turbine system
US8562298B2 (en) 2009-09-22 2013-10-22 Roberto VALLEJO Vertical-axis wind turbine
US20120183407A1 (en) * 2009-09-22 2012-07-19 Vallejo Roberto Vertical-axis wind turbine
IL201222A (en) 2009-09-29 2015-02-26 Re 10 Ltd Hollow conical spiral turbine for energy conversion
US20110081243A1 (en) 2009-10-02 2011-04-07 Sullivan John T Helical airfoil wind turbines
US20110081244A1 (en) 2009-10-05 2011-04-07 Young Ho Ro Spiral design
US20110206526A1 (en) 2010-02-23 2011-08-25 Roberts Gary D Vertical-axis wind turbine having logarithmic curved airfoils
US20120128500A1 (en) 2010-04-14 2012-05-24 Arcjet Holdings Llc Turbines
CA2796344A1 (fr) 2010-04-14 2011-10-20 Arcjet Holdings Llc Turbines
USD658563S1 (en) 2010-04-21 2012-05-01 United Ship Design And Development Center Trans-velocity paddle
US7976267B2 (en) 2010-08-10 2011-07-12 Burrell Iv James W Helix turbine system and energy production means
USD708136S1 (en) 2011-11-17 2014-07-01 Geolica Innovations Sl Wind power machine
US20130343891A1 (en) 2012-06-07 2013-12-26 Uppala RAJAKARUNA Spiral screw fluid turbine having axial void
KR101286380B1 (ko) 2012-11-06 2013-07-15 조영철 분할축붙이 날개와 이를 이용한 날개 유닛 및 그 제조방법
USD722965S1 (en) 2014-10-21 2015-02-24 Robert Perless Vertical axis helical wind turbine
WO2016176352A1 (fr) 2015-04-28 2016-11-03 Chris Bills Hélice à vortex

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4500259A (en) * 1981-08-18 1985-02-19 Schumacher Berthold W Fluid flow energy converter
US20100003130A1 (en) * 2005-07-28 2010-01-07 Georges Gual Windmill device
US20070029807A1 (en) * 2005-08-08 2007-02-08 Clayton Kass Methods and systems for generating wind energy
US20090257880A1 (en) * 2008-04-11 2009-10-15 Clay Clark Conical helicoid wind turbine
US8905706B2 (en) * 2010-06-17 2014-12-09 Chris Bills Vortex propeller
US20120076656A1 (en) * 2010-09-29 2012-03-29 Abass Omar Nabil Horizontal Axis Logarithmic Spiral Fluid Turbine
US20130343897A1 (en) * 2012-06-21 2013-12-26 David A. Collins Helix Type Vertical Axis Turbine Blades and Method for Continuously Making Same
US9004851B1 (en) * 2014-03-05 2015-04-14 Gustavo Q. Garza Efficient spiral wind-turbine configuration

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11053912B2 (en) 2013-05-29 2021-07-06 Magnelan Technologies Inc. Wind turbine for facilitating laminar flow
CN107933869A (zh) * 2017-12-14 2018-04-20 汪弘轩 一种电磁无轴涡叶向心式船用推进器
US11204016B1 (en) 2018-10-24 2021-12-21 Magnelan Energy LLC Light weight mast for supporting a wind turbine
CN114435573A (zh) * 2022-02-17 2022-05-06 交通运输部天津水运工程科学研究所 一种船用涡轮推进器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US10260479B2 (en) 2019-04-16
CN107850043A (zh) 2018-03-27
HK1252114A1 (zh) 2019-05-17
US20170022970A1 (en) 2017-01-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10260479B2 (en) Vortex propeller
US8905706B2 (en) Vortex propeller
EP2341245B1 (fr) Appareil pour augmenter la portance d'une pale d'éolienne
CN101680423B (zh) 具涡流发生器的风轮机叶片
EP2694805B1 (fr) Éoliennes augmentées d'un diffuseur
EP2834517B1 (fr) Base de pale vrillée
US20110211966A1 (en) Wind power generation system
US20100034656A1 (en) Fluid energy converter
JP2007529662A (ja) タービンおよびそのためのローター
US9004864B2 (en) Wind turbine
AU2007249992A1 (en) Fluid energy converter
JP2007529662A5 (fr)
US8747070B2 (en) Spinning horizontal axis wind turbine
GB2451670A (en) A fluid driven rotor
US20200158074A1 (en) Vertical-shaft turbine
CA3031326A1 (fr) Systeme et procede d'amelioration de l'efficacite de pales de turbine
CN100390409C (zh) 一种用于垂直轴流体发电装置的叶片断面翼型
US20210301784A1 (en) An integrated and synergistic multi-turbine, multi-vane array for a modular, amplified wind power generation system
KR20120139154A (ko) 양력과 항력을 융합한 수직축 풍력발전기
JP2012092660A (ja) 風車翼およびこれを備えた風力発電装置ならびに風車翼の設計方法
KR20130031818A (ko) 수직 샤프트를 가진 풍력 로터
EP2348216B1 (fr) Turbine pour éoliennes et centrales hydrauliques
CN112703314A (zh) 具有带空气动力学特性的叶片承载结构的风力涡轮机
Roy An Overview of Aerodynamic Behaviour of Wind Turbine Blade
CN115750196A (zh) 风电叶片和风力发电机

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 16787086

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 16787086

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1